The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Veteran Business Owner

Like anything in life there is good and bad. When thinking about what you want to do with your life following your military transition examine the pros and cons of becoming a veteran business owner, whether via your own start-up, franchising or buying an existing business.

Pros of Becoming A Veteran Business Owner

People want to buy from military veterans so your chances of success are higher.

Corporations are increasing their reliance on veteran-owned suppliers so your value is increasing too.

The National Veteran Owned Business Association recently released its list of the 25 Best Corporations for Veteran Owned Business, and it’s a virtual who’s who of the top corporations in the country. Each year, more large corporations are setting goals within their supplier diversity programs to increase their use of women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses. “Veteran-owned businesses are an essential component of our mission and we are committed to creating opportunities to help them become successful,” says Craig Hopkins, senior vice president and chief procurement officer, global services delivery at USAA.

Your military training makes you a fit for running a business.

“My military background allows me to really be mission-oriented. I have the ability to hone in on what the target market is and drill down to figure out what the potential needs are,” says former Navy Lieutenant Michael Maher, who is founder and CEO of Benjamin’s Desk in Philadelphia. “Veteran business owners are able to think outside the box, react to situations, and act with expedience and precision.”

Franchising comes with a discount. There many franchises that offer discounts on their franchising fees or offer lending programs for veterans to get them started as a franchise owner. In addition, these franchises seek veterans to become franchisees because of their belief that military trained leaders make the best business owners. Knowing that FAST SIGNS is a “military friendly franchise” helped former Navy Reservist Daniel Nichols of The Woodlands, Texas, make the decision to pursue a franchise. “That was a big help in the decision process,” he says.
Of course, everything has its drawbacks.

“I am absolutely convinced that if you want to be told ‘no’ on a consistent basis, you should become a Marine Corps recruiter or a small business owner,” says Brandon Keeton, former Marine Corps captain and owner of Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Central Pennsylvania. “In order to get my school the way I wanted it, I estimated that I would need about $93,000. I asked for $50,000 and I only actually got $10,000. Talk about a shoestring budget!”

You will work long hours, and that vacation will probably have to wait.

Hard work is a necessary ingredient in success. “No one is going to scream at you or make you run drills if you don’t do your job – you just won’t get a paycheck, so you have to keep yourself disciplined,” the 34-year-old former senior airman explains.
So there you have it, the good, bad and not-so ugly. If you’re not afraid of a little hard work and risk-taking, then starting your own business might just be for you. And, you get to be your own boss.

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This is a private website not affiliated with the U.S. Government, U.S. Armed Forces, any government agency, or the Department of Veteran Affairs.U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. For specific information about benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, please visit the official site: http://www.gibill.va.gov/